In February, the phrase “pitchers and catchers report” signals the start of Spring Training. That’s great news for baseball fans and for hotels in those areas.

According to Jill Skeen, director of sales and marketing at the Hilton Suites Phoenix, “The month of March is historically the busiest month for our hotel, in large part from Spring Training and Spring Fever. Everyone from the cold destinations is looking for an opportunity to warm up after a long winter season.”

Five years ago, I did just that. A few friends and I left the frozen tundra of Chicago and headed for the sunny environs of Mesa to see our beloved Cubs get ready for the season. Of course, five years ago, times were a bit different.

With baseball tickets becoming hot commodities and the economy changing, the demographics of the crowds changed a bit, too. Spring Training isn’t just for the “spring break” crowd.

Top-quality hotels, such as the Hilton, have addressed the situation. Skeen said, “We believe in general that the Spring Training crowd is looking for overall value in a convenient location when they are making their hotel selections. We specifically built our package with this philosophy in mind.” The Hilton package includes an upgrade to a two-room suite, the exclusive Hilton Sunrise breakfast buffet for two each morning and a special “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”-themed welcome basket and complimentary self parking.

I applaud that type of added value, especially considering the shift to a more affluent crowd. I know a couple of people who are headed for Spring Training next week as part of work conferences, and they have both chosen higher quality for their stay, as have their co-workers, because of added-value packages.

As I discussed in last week’s blog, quality is needed in these tough times. There are enough hotels everywhere that I do not have to give a second chance to a bad one. It is important for each hotel to grab the customer and keep the customer.

Considering everything, I wondered how things were this year in the Arizona Spring Training area. Skeen answered that by stating, “We are feeling a significant push in our leisure transient occupancy March 2010 versus March 2009.” Hopefully, the Cubs will also experience that feeling.

– John Wroblewski, distribution specialist

On April 25, 1976, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs in a game that was overshadowed by an act of patriotism by Cubs’ centerfielder Rick Monday. Monday saved the U.S. flag from being burned on the field by protesters. This heroic act catapulted Monday into the national spotlight.

On June 10, 2008, my friends and I were in Los Angeles for a game between the Cubs and Dodgers. I took the opportunity to interview Monday, who ironically became a broadcaster for the the Dodgers. I used that interview to produce a GT blog during the week of July 4th. Much to my surprise, the blog was read on the air by David Stein of Sporting News Radio.

Last Thursday, I was in New York for GT’s annual awards event. Midway through the night, my pants zipper broke. I returned to my room to try and fix the problem. After a few futile minutes, I gave up and put on jeans. I figured it was dark in the party room and I wasn’t the main focus anyway.

As I re-entered the party, I heard publisher Fran Gallagher make a comment about a blog, followed by a recording of Stein reading my blog on Rick Monday. I had no idea what was happening when Kim Krol (GT wunderkind) summoned me to the stage.

I arrived at the stage just as Fran announced me as the winner of the Globility award. Then I promptly tripped going up the stairs, only to have actor (and awards presenter) Terrence Howard save me from tumbling off the stage.

If you see any pictures of the moment and I look a bit stunned and disheveled, I was. Two weeks ago I wrote about meeting Terrence Howard. I had no idea it would be under these circumstances.

Fran Gallagher defines globility as: the quality of being open to world of cultures and experiences. I can honestly say, writing this blog has definitely given me plenty of wonderful experiences.

In a former professional life, Laurie encouraged me to take opportunities when presented with them. I took her advice in getting the interview with Monday. The experience turned out to be magical, ending with me accepting the Globility award.

I admit, Fran has been open to some of my offbeat blogs, although he ribs me incessantly about them. I hope I have rewarded his trust. I plan on continually seeking out interesting stuff. I am grateful for every reader and all comments.

– John Wroblewski, distribution specialist, blogger and Globility award winner

It was with a tinge of sadness I watched the last out of World Series game six on Wednesday night. As Shane Victorino grounded out, Yankee Stadium erupted with the cheers of ecstatic fans whose favorite team had just won their 27th world championship. Not so long ago, just a little bit over a year ago, I was one of those fans.

Well, congratulations to the Yankees. But, also, congratulations to the Phillies on another stellar season. I am not disappointed in my team; I am proud of them for commanding a lead all season and beating the Rockies and the Dodgers to be the first National League team to return to the World Series consecutively since the ‘95-’96 Braves.

At a meeting in NYC on Wednesday, I refused my friend’s pleas to stay in the city that night for the game. I didn’t want to be in New York, I wanted to be in Philadelphia, rooting on my team with fellow fans! I truly believed the Series was going to game seven, and I didn’t give up believing in them until the last out was on the board.

And today, just two days after the last game, I already miss baseball season — and I can’t wait until spring training starts. And, not to badmouth the other team, but I need to comment on one small thing — Yankees Stadium was not even sold out for the games.  In Philadelphia, those tickets go — and quickly. With the Philadelphia fans firmly behind their team, I think we have a long future of successful seasons ahead of us. See you in 2010, boys!

– Kim Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive

Last week, the Ricketts family was formally introduced as the new owner of the Chicago Cubs. During the announcement press conference, much of the talk was focused on Wrigley Field.

First and foremost, it seems naming rights will be available. I am sure “Wrigley Field” will remain in the name, but there is too much money to be made by selling naming rights. In the near future, expect to see Wrigley Field at X Company Plaza.

Second, the Ricketts family is promising improvements in the park. Some of these changes involve modernizing certain features of the concourse (like the restrooms and dining choices). Other changes will be aesthetic, but definitely appreciated.

Third, there was talk of acquiring land across from Wrigley Field for various purposes. Some of these would include off-field team facilities, while others would include fan-related additions (restaurants, activity centers, parking).

Intermixed in all of this was the promise to build the Cubs into winners. I am sure winning is a goal, but, as in most businesses, I say it all follows the green (and I am not talking about the ivy-covered outfield walls).

It was stated that they would like to see Wrigley Field as a “go-to destination.” The funny thing is that this season the Cubs averaged more than a 95 percent capacity crowd. Therefore, to get more dollars, the park needs to get bigger and revenue-producing features need to be added.

I really believe what the Ricketts family is saying. I think we will see changes on and off the field. I might not agree with some of the changes, but it is going to be very interesting to watch the developments. This will make for a great business model, and I am going to enjoy watching it all up close.

– John Wroblewski, distribution specialist

Okay, I admit it. I predicted that Chicago would win the bid for the 2016 Olympics. When it was announced that Chicago had lost in the first round, I was stunned — although judging by Chicago sports I should not have been surprised by a “playoff” loss. I didn’t really care if Chicago got the Olympics; I just thought it was going to happen.

The surprising thing to me was the overall level of apathy the decision garnered in Chicago. Chicagoans seemed split on their desire to host the Olympics. Once the decision came, the whole matter was quickly forgotten.

More Chicago sports fan cared about the upcoming Bears game against the Detroit Lions than they cared about the failed attempt to land the Olympics. Granted, Chicagoans take their sports teams very seriously, but I didn’t think the Olympics would be out of mind so quickly. Sports radio hosts tried to kickstart discussions, but they were met with a resounding silence.

I expected outrage at the Chicago force of President Obama, Mayor Daley and Queen Oprah (where was Court Jester Jim Belushi?) for bumbling the situation. Instead, there was a little moaning and then right back to Bears talk. There was more talk about the offseason plans of the Cubs and White Sox than of the Olympics. Even funnier was the unnecessary spin control from the powers that be to explain how this all happened, but nobody was listening because nobody cared.

I am not sure what this means. Does this speak of an overall disinterest in the Olympics? Does it speak of the fanaticism Chicagoans feel about their own teams above all else?

Even businesses didn’t seem to care. Apparently, the promised increase in tourism either wasn’t believable or didn’t matter. I talked to a few concierges, and they all said their hotels were pretty well booked already.

Chicago lost the bid and nobody really cared. The Bears lost their last two games and the city is in an uproar. It doesn’t take much to understand this. The people have spoken.

– John Wroblewski, distribution specialist